Dr. Fatoumata “Fatim” Haidara leads Mercy Corps’ efforts in West and Central Africa by supporting country offices in executing their strategies and elevating the Mercy Corps profile in the region.

With a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Fatim is accomplished human rights and social justice leader with an impressive record of accomplishment spanning more than 20 years. She has worked as Regional Director of the Ouagadougou Partnership; as a Country Director for Plan International in Burkina Faso; and, as a Country Representative for WaterAid in Zambia and Mali, where she managed water and sanitation programs. Prior to joining Mercy Corps, she was the Sahel Region Director for Plan International.

Fatim has a strong focus on the rights and well-being of vulnerable communities and is known for fostering cross-border, multi-country, and regional collaboration. She is a passionate advocate for women and girls’ rights.

Fatim hails from the Sahel of Timbuktu, Mali, and is fluent in both English and French. She resides in Dakar, Senegal.